Distinct mental health profiles in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A latent class analysis and associations.
Children with DCD fall into four mental-health clusters—use the SDQ to pick the right supports.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Pimenta et al. (2023) looked at 119 children with Developmental Coordination Disorder.
Parents filled out the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.
The team ran a latent-class analysis to see how mental-health problems group together.
What they found
Four clear profiles popped out.
Some kids showed only hyperactive-impulsive problems.
Others had only internalizing problems like anxiety.
A third group had both, and a fourth group had low problems overall.
Each profile differed in extra diagnoses, school help, and medicine use.
How this fits with other research
Zhu et al. (2014) already showed that kids with DCD plus balance issues are twice as likely to be obese.
Almeida extends that idea: motor problems split into sub-groups for mental-health too.
Bourke et al. (2026) also found four latent lifestyle profiles in autistic kids with ADHD.
Their balanced-lifestyle group had the least irritability, matching Almeida’s low-problem class.
The two studies look different—one on DCD, one on ASD/ADHD—but both say the same thing: one label hides several distinct patterns.
Why it matters
Stop treating every child with DCD the same.
Check the SDQ first.
If scores land in the combined profile, plan for both ADHD-type and anxiety supports.
If scores sit in the low-problem profile, focus mostly on motor goals.
Matching the mental-health profile to the intervention plan saves you time and helps the child feel understood.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
BACKGROUND: Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) show indications for mental health problems. However, these problems are poorly understood. AIMS: To identify patterns (profiles) of mental health in this population and to analyze the associations between profiles and child characteristics. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Parents of 119 children with DCD completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Results indicated that a four latent class was the best model. Profile 1 was defined as "no" mental health problems (n = 28; 24 %), Profile 2 was defined as "hyperactivity" problems (n = 53; 43.3 %), for clinical indications for hyperactivity, Profile 3 was defined as "internalizing" problems (n = 8; 7.3 %), for clinical indications for emotional symptoms and peer problems, and Profile 4 was defined as "internalizing and externalizing problems" (n = 30; 25.4 %), for clinical indications for problems in both areas. In addition, having a co-occurring disorder, accommodation plans, and using medications were associated with the profiles. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: There are distinct and unique profiles that children with DCD exhibit. Clinicians can use these profiles to better understand the presentation of mental health symptoms in this population and provide adequate services or support if mental health difficulties are present.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2023 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104377